Earn Your Appetite: Why Active Foodies Love Charlottesville

Charlottesville has been named in magazines and blogs internationally as an outstanding destination for cuisine and natural beauty, a place where residents enjoy active lifestyles and feed them with exceptionally delicious food and drink. When you live in a Charlottesville apartment, you know it’s true! But even if you’ve lived here for decades, there is always something new to discover thanks to the ever changing variety of eateries and the vast number of trails and parks to explore.

Charlottesville apartment residents enjoy an ideal environment for a day of hiking topped by a delicious and unforgettable meal. You can stay local or take a short drive and find hiking, running and biking opportunities aplenty. And Charlottesville food! The offerings are as delicious as they are unique and varied, the perfect reward for an active day on the trails. Here are a few of our favorite suggestions:

Humpback Rocks and Wayside TakeoutIn Charlottesville, Wayside Takeout is legendary, cooking up “some of the best fried chicken in the south”. This modest restaurant has been listed in Southern Living and continues to win Best Chicken locally in a variety of contests. Delicious and extremely portable, Wayside chicken makes a great companion on a trip to Humpback Rocks. This trail is famous for a reason – it leads you to a spectacular view that seems to reach all the way to Tennessee. The site includes 1890s farm buildings that were relocated when the Blue Ridge Parkway was constructed, a visitor center, and a picnic area with charcoal grills and a comfort center. You can pack your chicken and picnic at the top, or enjoy a nice lunch before climbing to the view.

Rivanna Trail and the Downtown MallOne of the best things about Charlottesville apartment life is the Rivanna Trail, a delightful escape that weaves its way through the heart of the city. The trail provides some truly idyllic hiking without a car ride, and it’s a wonderful way to connect with your favorite canine. Take Fido for a nice hike, and finish up with a little walk to the Downtown Mall for a relaxing meal at Hamilton’s or one of the many restaurants that allow “al fresco” dining. The patio dining allows you and Fido to enjoy dinner together while you watch the bustle of the mall around you. Many restaurants will even provide water and a snack for Fido!

Crabtree Falls and Blue Mountain Brewery
A short drive from your Charlottesville apartment to nearby Nelson County takes you to Crabtree Falls, probably Virginia’s best-known waterfall hike. This 3.4 mile round trip hike winds to the top of one of the tallest and most beautiful waterfalls on the US east coast. The must-hike trail features beautiful waterfall views as you climb up 1000 feet to an outstanding overlook of the Tye River Valley at the top. It’s a significant hike, but it places you near a significant reward – Blue Mountain Brewery. Excellent, award-winning beer and gorgeous views make this the perfect “pub” for refueling after your hike.

Michie Tavern, The Saunders Monticello Trail and TEN Sushi
When you have visitors from out of town and want to create a memorable day, Charlottesville residents know to take them to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Get your tickets in advance online and then stop into Michie Tavern on your way up the mountain for an exquisite and historic lunch. Their rustic 18th century dining room will help you recreate the experience of tavern life from long ago. Then ditch the car and take the The Saunders Monticello Trail all the way to the house itself. The hike is beautiful and allows you to see the historic house and grounds they way there were seen by Jefferson and his contemporaries, with “shifting scenes as you advance on your way.” Tour the house and the grounds – in the fall, wait until the sun begins to set and look out over Charlottesville to the vast horizon. Then hike back down and get ready to step back into the present at TEN Sushi on the mall. TEN offers innovative, modern sushi and cocktails that will surprise and impress you and leave you begging for more.

Start an adventure and celebrate with Charlottesville cuisine. You’ll be glad you did!